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(b. London, 6 April 1809; d. Croydon, England, 7 February 1903) British meteorologist and astronomer. After early meteorological observations for the Ordnance Survey, and astronomical work at Cambridge Observatory, he became Superintendent of the Magnetical and Meteorological Department at Greenwich Observatory in 1840. He was largely responsible for the introduction of scientific meteorology, partly through setting up a network of reliable observers with calibrated instruments. He introduced the first newspaper reports on the weather (Daily News, 31 August 1848), initially for two months, but subsequently resumed on 14 June 1849. Apart from numerous scientific meteorological investigations, Glaisher made extensive observations, primarily to measure humidity, lapse rates, and temperature, during famous balloon ascents in the period 1862–6, reaching an estimated 37000 feet on 5 September 1862. A founder, President, and long-serving Secretary of the British (now Royal) Meteorological Society.